- What are the application deadlines?
- When should I submit my application?
- We will not be able to submit our online application by the deadline.
Can we submit it late?
- Can we make changes to our application after we click the submit button?
- When I print out a copy of my application, the attachments are not
included. What happened?
- How do I know which grant to apply for?
- What is the grant period?
- Is there a match requirement?
- When is the disclosure form due?
- How long does it take between applying for the grant and receiving
a decision?
- Should I come to the grants public hearing? Will it help my grant
application?
- How soon after the decision will we receive our grant check?
- We have lost our contract agreement. What do we do?
- What do I need to do to receive the second portion of my grant?
- What do I do when I need help?
What are the Application Deadlines?
- March 1 - Artist Fellowships and Cultural Facilities
- June 1 - School projects and grants to organizations
- September 1 - School projects, grants to organizations, and Folklife Apprenticeship
requests
All applications are due by 5 p.m. on the deadline date. If the deadline date falls
on a weekend or state holiday the application is due by 5 p .m. the next business
day. If you are unsure of an application deadline, please contact a program manager
(
Staff Directory).
When should I submit my application?
- All Artist Fellowships and Cultural Facilities applications must be submitted at the March 1 deadline.
- Projects with activities occuring between October 1 -September 30 may apply at the June 1 deadline.
- If any project activities occur between October 1 and December 31, you must apply at the June 1 deadline.
- Projects with activities occuring between January 1 -September 30, apply at September 1 deadline.
We will not be able to submit our online application by the deadline.
Can we submit it late?
No. Council’s policy doesn’t permit us to accept late applications. It is recommended
that you do not delay in preparing or submitting your application. The eGrant system
will be open two months prior to the deadline date. You may enter the system, set
up your application file and work on it as needed during that two-month period.
Please remember that the eGrant system will close promptly at 5 P.M. on the deadline
date. We strongly encouraged you to submit your application by 4:45 P.M. on the
deadline date to be sure it is transmitted before 5 P.M.
Can we make changes to our application after we click the submit
button?
No. Once you click the submit button, you will be unable to make changes to your
application. Applicants are encouraged to view a copy of the application and to
check all attachments for accuracy before clicking the submit button.
When I print out a copy of my application, the attachments are not
included. What happened?
The attachments are uploaded to the eform and are not a part of the eform, so when
you print a copy of the PDF, the attachments are not there. You will need to print
a copy of the attachments from where they are stored on your computer hard drive
to have a completed application.
How do I know which grant to apply for?
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Council office and communicate
with a program manager. Click here for a staff directory. Staff will be glad to
assist you in developing your application and answer any questions you may have.
However, it is advisable to begin communication with a staff member well before
the deadline date. In the days preceding a deadline, there are usually a lot of
applicants seeking assistance and it may be difficult to reach a program manager
on short notice. Please also thoroughly review the grant guidelines located here
(Guidelines).
What is the grant period?
The grant period runs from October 1 to September 30. All grant activities must
fall within this time frame. The only exception to this rule is grants to K-12 schools.
In these cases, the grant period is from August 1 to September 30.
Is there a match requirement?
Yes. With the exception of Artist Fellowships, Folk Arts Apprenticeships and AIE
Enhancement, grant requests to the Council must be matched dollar-for-dollar in
cash or a combination of cash and in-kind support. Presenting grants must be matched
dollar-for-dollar in cash. In order to count as matching funds, cash or in-kind
contributions must be used to accomplish the programming objectives outlined in
the application during the specified grant period. In-kind contributions may include
donated services, space, or materials essential to the completion of the arts project.
Also, if you have questions, please contact a program manager (
Staff
Directory).
When is the disclosure form due?
All application materials are signed and submitted digitally. PDF downloads of applications are available from the system at any time.
For requests greater than $5,000, a disclosure form is required by law. This form is available to download from the applications and must be notarized. Without this completed form, the Council on the Arts is prohibited from considering or funding the grant. A scanned copy or photo of the completed and notarized Disclosure Form should be submitted electronically as part of the application. After completing the digital application, the original hard copy of the Disclosure Form must be mailed to the Council office and received no later than three (3) business days after each deadline.
By signing and submitting, the applicant is indicating compliance with guidelines and adherence to applicable accessibility and non-discrimination laws.
How long does it take between applying for the grant and receiving
a decision?
Applications go through an extensive review process. It takes approximately three
months between the time an application is received by the Council and the time the
applicant is notified of final action.
Should I come to the grants public hearing? Will it help my grant
application?
You are certainly welcome to come. There have been cases where an applicant provided
additional information which clarified panel concerns and resulted in funding. There
are other examples where the presentation resulted in reduced funding. It is a good
opportunity to meet the Council’s grants review committee and to give them an update
on your project.
If you plan to speak, you should prepare your presentation ahead of time and keep
it within the allocated time frame. Be certain the presenter is familiar with both
the application and the proposed project. Use the opportunity to give the Council
an overview of your organization and the ways this project will benefit your organization
and community.
The public hearings are intended for organizations and not individual artists seeking
fellowships or organizations seeking operating support. Fellowship grants for individual
artists/administrators are based on samples of work and the panel review process.
How soon after the decision will we receive our grant check?
Award letters and contracts are usually issued within two weeks after the Council’s
decision. Your award letter will tell you the grant amount and when you should expect
the contract agreement. Larger grants (operating support) are paid by the quarter.
Smaller grants are paid 50% in advance and 50% when you file your final report.
Grant payments are generally based on the starting date you provided in your application.
We have lost our contract agreement. What do we do?
Remember the contracts become void if not signed and returned within 30 days from
the date of issuance. If your contract is lost, contact the grants office and request
that a new contract be issued. In general, you should sign and return your contract
as soon as you receive them. It is also important to be sure we have your correct
mailing address and phone number.
What do I need to do to receive the second portion of my grant?
Most grants are paid 50% in advance with the final 50% paid when we receive and
review your final report with the exception of grantees receiving operating support.
Final reports are submitted through the eGrant system. Follow the same log on instruction
as you did when you submitted the grant application.
Final reports are due thirty days after the funded project is completed, but no
later than October 10. It is important to remember that a substantial delay in filing
your final report or in discussing your problem with a program manager or the grants
office can result in a loss of the balance of your grant funds. It is also important
to remember that your organization is not eligible for any additional funding from
the Council if you have outstanding final reports. Delinquent reports must be filed
before any future grants can be processed.
What do I do when I need help?
Contact the Council’s office. The staff will be glad to assist you and to answer
any questions you may have (
Staff Directory).